Haverford High School’s Hilary Elsner is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week (April 24-30)
The 5-foot-11 junior midfielder, an All-Main Line girls lacrosse selection last year, has been highly productive this spring, scoring 10 goals, winning 16 draw controls and collecting 11 ground balls in one recent week. Haverford girls lacrosse head coach Nancy McGoldrick said, “Hilary is the ultimate competitor. She is the highlight of every game we play. She runs midfield coast to coast and is such a graceful lacrosse player. She has a wicked sidearm shot that she displays at times especially on an 8 meter. Hilary has worked so hard to elevate her game to get ready for the collegiate level.” Elsner, a National Honors Society member, has committed to Rutgers University for lacrosse. Off the lacrosse field, she also participates in cross country for the Fords and the Haverford Science Academy.
Q: What do you think are the biggest keys to winning a draw control?
A: The keys to winning a draw control are wrist strength and boxing out. Being tall gives me an advantage, so I prefer to do a self draw, which requires some wrist strength. If there is a 50/50 ball in the circle, boxing out is crucial.
Q: What aspect of your game have you worked on the most recently?
A: Recently, I’ve worked more on dodging and shooting on the run. As a 5’11” midfielder, my primary job on the attacking end of the field has always been off-ball cutting, so dodging was something that I really wanted to focus on throughout the season.
Q: What has been the biggest key to your productive scoring?
A: Shot placement and my teammates have played huge roles in my productive scoring. There are a lot of talented goalies in the Central League, so placing my shot and faking has helped me score. My teammates are the ones that are making awesome plays and ultimately setting me up for the goal.
Q: Tell us a little about your start in lacrosse. What originally attracted you to lacrosse?
A: I started playing lacrosse in kindergarten when my older sister started playing. I originally started in small clinics then eventually joined Haverford Township’s recreation team.
Q: Have you always been a midfielder?
A: Yes — being able to run all over the field was what initially attracted me to the position.
Q: Who have been your most important lacrosse mentors, and what was the most important thing each of them taught you?
A: My club coaches have taught me to bring intensity to everything I do while my Haverford coaches have taught me to have confidence in my game.
Q: What is your favorite academic course at Haverford High? What do you think you might want to major in at Rutgers? Is there a career field that particularly interests you at the present time?
A: So far, my favorite course at Haverford has been Anatomy and Physiology. Since I enjoyed that class so much, I plan on majoring in Exercise Science or Physical Therapy at Rutgers.
Fun facts – Hilary Elsner
Favorite TV show: The Office.
Favorite movie: Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.
Favorite athlete: Jalen Hurts.
Favorite pre-game pump-up song: “HUMBLE”- Kendrick Lamar.
Favorite team: Philadelphia Eagles.
Favorite place to visit: Colorado.
Favorite pre-game meal: Oatmeal.
Person I most admire, and why: “My mom – She is the hardest worker I know and is my biggest support.”
Family members: parents Keith and Jennifer, older sister Paige.
(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)
